Fort Knox MHS Wins State-wide Theater Competition

Owensboro, KY – The Kentucky Thespian Festival (KTF), a prestigious event held annually in Owensboro, Kentucky, for more than 25 years boasts a remarkable showcase of talent from high schools across the state. This year, Fort Knox Middle High School’s (FKMHS) Troupe 11673 emerged victorious in the Chapter Select competition, earning the honor to represent Kentucky at the International Thespian Festival.

The KTF, known for its diverse range of individual events (Thespys) including acting, musical theater, costume and set design, and more, culminates in the Chapter Select competition. Here, high school troupes present a one-act-play judged by a panel of experts.

Fort Knox Middle High’s Troupe 11673 captivated the judges with their performance of “I, Chorus,” directed by senior Luella Sikorski. The troupe received an impressive 19 out of 20 points from all three judges, marking their performance as superior. Abigail Ziglar, who played ‘Oren’ and received an All-Star Thespian award, expressed her excitement: “It's really special that we will be able to represent Kentucky for the nation. I think it says a lot that military kids are the best in the state.”

This victory is particularly significant for FKMHS Drama, which only began participating in KTF last year. The troupe’s meteoric rise is attributed to the dedication and talent of its members. Last year, fourteen students attended KTF, and this year, twenty-one students participated, led by student director Luella Sikorski. Luella’s extensive theatrical experience, including her superior rating at last and this year’s Thespys and participation in the Governor’s School and ITF, has been instrumental in the troupe’s success.

Carolyn Greer, President of the Kentucky Thespian Society, praised the troupe’s achievement: “KTF has not seen many student directors, and winning with a student director is very rare!”
The emotional impact of the win was felt deeply by the students and their supporters.
“When we had won, it’s like the whole world went quiet and it was only us," said Amia Vela, a FKMHS sophomore. “I cried before they even finished saying Fort Knox … we accomplished what we had been working so long and so hard for—it was unreal.”

Chaperone and parent Kyla Sikorski shared her pride, too. “It has been amazing watching these students grow in the drama program this past year, and I’m so incredibly proud of them–when they were announced as winners, I literally burst into tears!”

Following the announcement, Carolyn Greer addressed the students on stage, encouraging them for the upcoming International Thespian Festival in June 2025.

“You will grow so much at this (international) festival and you will have such a great time–you will make Kentucky so proud,” said Greer. “Please know that we are so incredibly proud of all of you, and we look forward to seeing what Fort Knox does every year after this.”

The students of FKMHS’ Troupe 11673 are now planning fundraising efforts to raise about $25,000 required to attend the International Thespian Festival in Bloomington, Indiana. The weeklong festival offers workshops from theater professionals, performances from troupes across the country, and numerous opportunities to meet college representatives and experience campus life at Indiana University.